harm."

The official shook his head. "It is against orders,
Signore, I cannot. He can see her when she is
brought up for examination."

"They will both have lost their senses by that
time," I pleaded. "Can't you think of some way? I
have known her from a child. Perhaps an order from
headquarters might be of some use." We were standing,
at the time, in a long corridor ending in a door
protected by an iron grating. This led to the underground
cells.

The chief fastened his eyes on me for an instant,
turned abruptly, called to an attendant, gave an order
in a low voice and, with the words to Vittorio--
"You are not to speak to her, remember," motioned
the sobbing man toward the grating. Luigi and I
followed.

She came slowly out of the shadows, first the
drawn face peering ahead, as if wondering why she
had been sent for, then the white crumpled dress,
and then the dark eyes searching the gloom of the
corridor. Vittorio had caught sight of her and was
clinging to the grating, his body shaking, his tears
blinding him.

The girl gave a half-smothered cry, darted forward